Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-02-25
CHAPTER VIII.
now SOME ONE SEIZED 4 CHANCE.

Mr.. BCautOrt,' sad Mrs. Redtcrn,
graciously, would yOu mind stepping ON
with my daughter? I'll follow directly.
I'll first slip on my seal skin and hat"
She allowed Triptolema to 90 most of
the way with the stranger. Trip looked
charming; her color was heightened. Her
mothers words had kindled her fancy.
The gentleman at her side was good
looking. faultlessly dressed, polished in
manners, presumably richie talked of
Beaufort court which ne was rebuilding,
and man cannot build without money
certainly well born He had duke in
his family. That was better than IA
Bart Trip put on her best graccs and
when Trip wanted to be gracious she
was irresistible.
Mr. Beaufort chattcd pleasantly, adj
mircd everything, had fattering remarks
to make to his companion, with whom
he was really struck.
RinGwOod house was of red brick. a
large stately mansion. with long win
doWs, plaster Quoins, plaster corniccs
and vases and balustradcs, which looked
well with the old red brick
Mrs. Rcdfern came up with her daugh-
ter and Mr. Beaufort before they reached
the back door.
Dear men' said the gentleman, this
strikes me as the perfect ideal oi a holl,c.
If the interior arrangements are equal to
the exterior perfection | shall take Il no
tiOn or two away with me. For my part,
| like neither comfort sacrificed to archi-
tCCtural design nor architectural beauty
neglected for internal comfort. ! shall
be most interested to see over this house.
The housekcecpr, Mrs. podginGs, WAS
accommodating She liked to have a
chat with Mrs. Redeem. The butler was
gracious he had liking, indeed an I'M
bounded admiration for Trip, and vowed
he only wished he were ten years
younger to make her Mrs. Thomson.
Whcraat Trip was wont to toss her pretty
head.
The gentleman was invited along with
the ladies into the buffers private room.
He must insist on their all returning
there after having been over the house
and inspected the pictures. He trusted
light rejection there would be accept
able all around.
So Mrs. and Miss Rcdfcrn and Mr..
Beaufort started on their round. con
| Quoted by Mrs PodginGS. Fortunately
the family were out the house was &C
ccssihlc in all parts. Mrs Rcdfcrn Wa
anxious to see all the old rooms aGuiH
| she had known 50 well, and take Mr.
! Podgings attention while the VOuua
people talked together Mr.. Beaufort
was enchanted with everything. lie ad
| mired the paintings, the porcelain. tn,
glass, the curtains, carpets, furmiturc
everything was in admirable taste. and
most expensive
But what fascinated him more even
than the pictures and china was the per
feet arrangement OF the house-so com
pact, SO comfortable. He must ask per
mission TO be allowed 10 make Il few
rough sketch plans in his pDckctbool Ioi
his information and guidance in ~,
erection Of Beaufort court, Gloucester
shire. The permission was at once nc
corded him, and. pencil in hand, he drew
| plans. and was too engros~pd in them to
say much to Trip.
At last when all had been seen the part,
returned to the buffers room, where l.,
| had for them n bottle Of dry Sillerv
Some had been drunk ut dinner the even.
! ing before. and a bottle had been IL.
served 10y the butler for his own pu1icu
lar friends,
"Mr. Thomson, said Trip, putting on
her most coqucttish manner 'mighl Mr.
Beaufort have n sight of the silver wheel
barrow
" Barrow? Certainly,' answered IN,
butler "Anything you ask, miss. must
be complied with. ' Then, explanatory
to the visitor, "Nou see. sir Toltcnhnu
began life with "A whcelharrow. som,
fifty years agone, and as an occasion oi
telling the story, ana showing how eleven
a man he has been, he has hid 1--WE
dozen little silver wheclharrows madt
holding glass salt cellars; II salt cellar &c
each guest, you understand. Alta dinner
party Tottenham never fail, to tell tho
story apropos Of the cellars. Hes hao
on the sides an inscription. Pr0pcra.
which, ] take it, means shove along.
81 don't think it," interrupted Mrs
Redfern, Though I'm sorry 10 din,l
from You, Mr. Thomson. How Pro
pera' can mean shove plong, beat, mc
/ see clear enough what IL oignilicS
Proper A means \ one. and Mr. Tottcn
ham mean. that whatever he hns, from
his pictures. his plate, down TO his din
ner and salt, is \ one, and nothing that
isn't A one will suit hil.'
at may be, Mrs. Hedfern, said tn,
! butler, blandly. But take il the. Ian